Capt. Dale N. “Jonesie” JonesChariton, Iowa
Serial Number: O-827212
Assigned to Squadron: 8 September, 1944
Promoted to Capt: 25 March, 1945
Flight Commander: 4 January, 1945 - EOW
Total Combat Hours: 273:40
Claims: Me109 (air), He111 (ground)
Damaged: He111 (ground)
Decorations: Air Medal and 6 clusters, Distinguished Flying Cross
Returned to U.S.: October, 1945
An avid photographer during his youth, Dale N. Jones graduated from Chariton High School then went on to become an honor student at Wentworth Military Academy, in Lexington, Missouri. After attending Stetson University, in Deland, Florida he enlisted in the USAAF in February, 1943.
Having received his wings he was assigned to the 79th Fighter Squadron in September, 1944 and flew his first combat mission in early November. By Christmastime he was promoted to the rank of 1st. Lt.
Flying ran in Jones' family as his father, Maj. William D. Jones, a veteran of the First World War, was the Commander of a B-25 Mitchell bomber squadron based on Corsica. In December, 1944 Maj. Jones visited his son at King's Cliffe. "Maybe I'll get a chance to escort him on a bomb run." Dale stated, "I'd just like to show him what these Mustangs can do."
Jones was promoted to Flight Commander on 4 January, 1945 and scored his first and only aerial victory against a Messerschmitt Me109 just ten days later, it was one of five victories for the day by the 79th Fighter Squadron. On 20 February the squadron cut a path of destruction through the Nurnberg area. Jones and Lt. Robert Scott teamed up and destroyed a locomotive then Jones and Scott, along with Lt. John Santee and Lt. Robert Pollock, destroyed a second locomotive and eight freight cars. After inflicting damage to the area's rail traffic Jones spotted an airfield near Weiden and in 15 minutes the squadron destroyed 16 enemy aircraft on the ground. Jones alone claimed one Heinkel He 111 and damage to an additional three.
On 21 April, then Capt. Jones' engine cut-out over Honington during the return trip from that day's mission. He was forced to make a dead-stick (no power) landing. The next day he was back in combat flying lead of Red Flight on the 20th Fighter Group's last mission of the war.
In August, 1945 Capt. Jones was one of more than 150 American service personnel who participated in the Base Singles & Doubles Tennis Tournament at the West Hants Lawn Tennis Club. Two months later he arrived home on a 45 day leave before reporting to Santa Ana, Texas.
